Non-Mechanic Translation Needed for Upgrade Guide

[pgraves]

I have a 1995 3.4L Camaro. The car was my first real car and my baby up untill six months ago when it overheated and blew a headgasket. I was devastated and feared that I would never get her running again due to the cost to fix it. However, recently I have arranged to trade out with a local Mechanic Shop who is going to fix the car for me in exchange for some computer work.

I was thrilled today when I went over there and they showed me under the hood of my car, with nothing but the shortblock left (the heads have already been sent to a machine shop for repair).

However, when I got back to my PC I got to thinking about an old article I had read a few months back. There was a guy who had taken a 3.4L V6 and upgraded it by swapping parts and turned it into a 200HP car. After some searching, I found the article on LS1.com, it can be found here:

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4706

If I am understanding properly, he installed the following on the car:

1999 Pontiac Grand AM GT (3400) Alluminum Heads
---- Includes roller rocker arms built in, larger runners and ports on the plenum

RKSport Headers (~$500 part)
Larger Fuel Injectors
K&N FIPK Intake
Exhaust Modifications

My questions are these:

1. Am I correct? That the parts he used were simply a set of 1999 Pontiac Grand AM GT (3400) Alluminum heads, RK Sport Headers & Larger Fuel Injectors?

2. What would you estimate is the cost of these parts?

3. Since my engine is completely torn apart by a professional mechanic right now, I figure if I am ever going to do this upgrade now is the time. What do I need to have installed now in order to do this upgrade? (I.E. What is the most efficient thing to do now that I can't do later without them tearing apart the engine again)

4. He mentioned "roller rocker arms, large runners and ports on the "plenum". I know I am probably sounding pretty stupid here, but what are these and would they normally be included if I bought a set of 99 Grand AM Alluminum Heads?

I know I don't know much about cars, but I want to learn but I also know that at this point it is better for me to let professionals help me as much as possible. So, go easy on me, I know I am coming across like a complete idiot when it comes to cars, and maybe I am, but I am really trying to understand the potential of my car.

[ForcedFirebird]

The pistons need to be changed as well. The combustion chambers on a 3400 are a lot smaller and would raise your compression significantly. 3500 heads are a little better, but still would be in the neighborhood of 12:1CR. Also it is more then the heads, you would need the entire intake manifold set, custom exhaust and custom accy brackets (or modify stock ones).

At this point, you could get the parts for your mechanic. Check out the store on this site, Ben has top end swap stuff. Otherwise you could go to a junk yard and get the stuff you need, 2000 and up 3100 top ends are the same as the 3400's. 3500's came out in 2004.

[bszopi]

Russ is on here as well, and he chimes in every now and again when someone brings up this topic. I think one of the biggest things he will mention is the ECM needs to be TUNED for the new setup, something that is not the easiest to do for a beginner (esp. with a 95 setup). Since you mentioned that money is a concern, I honestly wouldn't look into this any further. There are several obstacles to overcome, as FF mentioned. IIRC, it took Russ several months to get everything to work properly, and his car is still running far from ideally. If you are still remotely interested in the idea, I would talk with your mechanic about it and see what he has to say about it. He may not be as willing to work on a "hybrid" setup like this for a reduced amount.